Northern District of Illinois

Disclaimer: The information on this website is designed to provide helpful information for pro bono attorneys representing clients in the Northern District of Illinois. This is not meant to be, nor should it be used as, a comprehensive listing of all relevant case law. These resources are not a substitute for independent research and verification.

Select a Topic to See Available Resources

Settlement Assistance Program (SAP)
Employment Litigation
Prisoner Litigation
- Illinois Federal Court Resources
- Illinois Federal Court Training Programs
- Illinois Pavey Hearing Resources (Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies)
- General Federal Court Resources

Settlement Assistance Program (SAP) Resources

Note: These resources offer practical guidance about settlement negotiations and settlement conferences, in addition to specific information about the Settlement Assistance Program (SAP). For substantive legal information, please see the sections on Employment Litigation Resources and Prisoner Litigation Resources.

Representing a Prisoner for the Limited Purposes of Settlement (2017): A step-by-step guide for pro bono attorneys representing prisoners through the Settlement Assistance Program (SAP).
Settlement Checklist/Term Sheet: A comprehensive checklist to help guide client settlement discussions.
SAP Rules and Forms
Sample Documents

Settlement Assistance Program (SAP) Resources

Representing a Prisoner for the Limited Purposes of Settlement (2017): A step-by-step guide for pro bono attorneys representing prisoners through the Settlement Assistance Program (SAP).
Settlement Checklist/Term Sheet: A comprehensive checklist to help guide client settlement discussions.
SAP Rules and Forms
Sample Documents

Employment Litigation Resources

Attorney’s Guide to Employment Discrimination Litigation (2012): A manual prepared by the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law containing a summary of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 1982 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866 as amended by the Civil Rights Act of 1991, and relevant case law decided through April 2012.
ADA and ADEA Handbook (2012): A manual prepared by the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law containing a summary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and relevant case law decided through February 2012.

Employment Litigation Resources

Attorney’s Guide to Employment Discrimination Litigation (2012): A manual prepared by the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law containing a summary of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 1982 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866 as amended by the Civil Rights Act of 1991, and relevant case law decided through April 2012.
ADA and ADEA Handbook (2012): A manual prepared by the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law containing a summary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and relevant case law decided through February 2012.

Prisoner Litigation Resources

Illinois Federal Court Resources

So You’ve Been Asked to Take a Prisoner Litigation Case (2016): Practical tips and first steps for recruited counsel in prisoner litigation cases in Illinois. Reprinted with permission from the Illinois State Bar Association’s Section on Federal Civil Practice.
Federal Court Prison Litigation Project Handbook (2002): A comprehensive guide prepared by Jim Chapman covering both substantive and procedural aspects of prisoner litigation.
Guide for Attorneys Recruited to Represent Plaintiffs in Section 1983 Cases (2017): A summary of prison litigation case law prepared by staff attorneys for the District Courts of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
Prison Conditions Amicus Brief (2016): An amicus brief filed by recruited counsel to set forth relevant case law regarding prison conditions. Includes summaries of case law in the following areas: (1) mold, (2) asbestos, (3) plumbing and leaks, (4) pests, and (5) temperature.
Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) District Map
Cook County Department of Corrections Security Guidelines for Attorneys

Illinois Federal Court Training Programs

Prison Litigation Training Programs
- Part I: Anatomy of a Prisoner Civil Rights Case (2:31:58): Video recording of Part I of the May 17, 2018 training conducted by Jim Chapman and Alan Mills in Chicago.
  - Sample Training Agenda
- Part II: Prisoner Medical Claims (2:05:23): Video recording of Part II of the May 17, 2018 training conducted by Jim Chapman and Alan Mills in Chicago.
  - Sample Training Agenda
Prison Litigation Video Library (2016): A series of training videos delivered by Jim Chapman covering all aspects of prisoner litigation from amending the complaint through trial.

Number	Title	Duration
1	Introduction to Prisoners’ Rights	17:46
2	Pleadings Part I: The Amended Complaint	26:17
3	Pleadings Part II: Specific Causes of Action	35:02
4	Motions in Limine Part I	30:34
5	Motions in Limine Part II: Client’s Criminal Record	26:20
6	Request to Produce Documents Part I	28:06
7	Request to Produce Documents Part II	25:46
8	Request to Produce Documents Part III	21:55
9	Prison Transfers	35:02
10	Taking Pictures and Measurements in Prison	20:08
11	Meeting with Your Client in Prison	26:33
12	Preparing the Prisoner Client for Deposition	26:55
13	Proof of Damages	23:58
14	Deposing a Prison Correctional Officer Part I	29:15
15	Deposing a Prison Correctional Officer Part II	24:51
16	Due Process for Prisoners	24:14
17	Failure to Provide Medical Treatment for a Prisoner Part I	29:25
18	Failure to Provide Medical Treatment for a Prisoner Part II	29:40
19	Failure to Provide Medical Treatment for a Prisoner Part III	34:16
20	Correctional Officers: Failure to Intervene/Joint and Several Liability	28:13
21	Prisoners’ Civil Rights Cases on a Budget	28:12
22	Settlement: Timing, Amounts, and What to Look For	31:28
23	Creating a Prima Facie Case for Trial on the Merits	25:12
24	Dealing with your Client’s Felony Convictions at Trial	26:00
25	Preparation for Trial Part I: Presenting the Case	27:15
26	Preparation for Trial Part II: The Order of Proof	29:04
27	Opening Statements	24:13

Illinois Pavey Hearing Resources (Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies)

Prisoner Civil Rights Seminar - Exhaustion & Administrative Remedies: A May 6, 2015 training by Alan Mills and Jim Chapman
- Training Video
- Training Agenda
- Training Presentation
- Training Handout: Inmate Grievance Procedure
- Training Handout: Plaintiff’s Interrogatories to Defendant
- Training Handout: Plaintiff’s Request for Production of Documents

General Federal Court Resources

Prisoners’ Litigation Self-Help Manual, by John Boston (available for purchase from a third party vendor): Nationally recognized prisoner’s rights manual offering practical advice on prison litigation.
Columbia Law School Jailhouse Lawyer’s Manual: Prison litigation handbook designed for use by pro se incarcerated litigants to help them exercise their legal rights.
Prisoner’s Rights Library: National network of attorneys, law students, and paralegals representing prisoners in state and federal prisons including an extensive library of sample motions, affidavits, and more (membership is free, but limited to legal professionals currently providing legal assistance to prisoners).

For Additional Assistance

Alan Mills, Executive Director of the Uptown People's Law Center, is available to assist attorneys recruited by the Court to represent plaintiffs in prison-related claims pending before the Court.

You may contact Mr. Mills by email, preferred, at alan@uplcchicago.org or at 773-250-0357.

Prisoner Litigation Resources

Illinois Federal Court Resources

So You’ve Been Asked to Take a Prisoner Litigation Case (2016): Practical tips and first steps for recruited counsel in prisoner litigation cases in Illinois. Reprinted with permission from the Illinois State Bar Association’s Section on Federal Civil Practice.
Federal Court Prison Litigation Project Handbook (2002): A comprehensive guide prepared by Jim Chapman covering both substantive and procedural aspects of prisoner litigation.
Guide for Attorneys Recruited to Represent Plaintiffs in Section 1983 Cases (2017): A summary of prison litigation case law prepared by staff attorneys for the District Courts of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
Prison Conditions Amicus Brief (2016): An amicus brief filed by recruited counsel to set forth relevant case law regarding prison conditions. Includes summaries of case law in the following areas: (1) mold, (2) asbestos, (3) plumbing and leaks, (4) pests, and (5) temperature.
Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) District Map
Cook County Department of Corrections Security Guidelines for Attorneys

Illinois Federal Court Training Programs

Prison Litigation Training Programs
- Part I: Anatomy of a Prisoner Civil Rights Case (2:31:58): Video recording of Part I of the May 17, 2018 training conducted by Jim Chapman and Alan Mills in Chicago.
  - Sample Training Agenda
- Part II: Prisoner Medical Claims (2:05:23): Video recording of Part II of the May 17, 2018 training conducted by Jim Chapman and Alan Mills in Chicago.
  - Sample Training Agenda
Prison Litigation Video Library (2016): A series of training videos delivered by Jim Chapman covering all aspects of prisoner litigation from amending the complaint through trial.

Number	Title	Duration
1	Introduction to Prisoners’ Rights	17:46
2	Pleadings Part I: The Amended Complaint	26:17
3	Pleadings Part II: Specific Causes of Action	35:02
4	Motions in Limine Part I	30:34
5	Motions in Limine Part II: Client’s Criminal Record	26:20
6	Request to Produce Documents Part I	28:06
7	Request to Produce Documents Part II	25:46
8	Request to Produce Documents Part III	21:55
9	Prison Transfers	35:02
10	Taking Pictures and Measurements in Prison	20:08
11	Meeting with Your Client in Prison	26:33
12	Preparing the Prisoner Client for Deposition	26:55
13	Proof of Damages	23:58
14	Deposing a Prison Correctional Officer Part I	29:15
15	Deposing a Prison Correctional Officer Part II	24:51
16	Due Process for Prisoners	24:14
17	Failure to Provide Medical Treatment for a Prisoner Part I	29:25
18	Failure to Provide Medical Treatment for a Prisoner Part II	29:40
19	Failure to Provide Medical Treatment for a Prisoner Part III	34:16
20	Correctional Officers: Failure to Intervene/Joint and Several Liability	28:13
21	Prisoners’ Civil Rights Cases on a Budget	28:12
22	Settlement: Timing, Amounts, and What to Look For	31:28
23	Creating a Prima Facie Case for Trial on the Merits	25:12
24	Dealing with your Client’s Felony Convictions at Trial	26:00
25	Preparation for Trial Part I: Presenting the Case	27:15
26	Preparation for Trial Part II: The Order of Proof	29:04
27	Opening Statements	24:13

Illinois Pavey Hearing Resources (Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies)

Prisoner Civil Rights Seminar - Exhaustion & Administrative Remedies: A May 6, 2015 training by Alan Mills and Jim Chapman
- Training Video
- Training Agenda
- Training Presentation
- Training Handout: Inmate Grievance Procedure
- Training Handout: Plaintiff’s Interrogatories to Defendant
- Training Handout: Plaintiff’s Request for Production of Documents

General Federal Court Resources

Prisoners’ Litigation Self-Help Manual, by John Boston (available for purchase from a third party vendor): Nationally recognized prisoner’s rights manual offering practical advice on prison litigation.
Columbia Law School Jailhouse Lawyer’s Manual: Prison litigation handbook designed for use by pro se incarcerated litigants to help them exercise their legal rights.
Prisoner’s Rights Library: National network of attorneys, law students, and paralegals representing prisoners in state and federal prisons including an extensive library of sample motions, affidavits, and more (membership is free, but limited to legal professionals currently providing legal assistance to prisoners).